Potato Review

Exports drop for second year THE value of Australian vegetable exports dropped for the second year in a row in 2020/21. According to last month’s Rural Bank Australian agricultural trade 2020/21 report, vegetable exports decreasing by $6.6 million (down 2.2 per cent) to $288.6 million. The general decline was attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with shipping disruptions and logistical issues which led to an increase in shipping costs. Rural Bank regional manager agribusiness - South Australia and Northern Territory Neil Verringer said despite strong vegetable production across most of Australia in 2020/21, the value and quantity of all major vegetable exports declined, with the exception of carrots. INTERNATIONAL NEWS Configured to perform Our Multi-Head Weighing System is now available in 8, 10, 12, 14 & 16 head configurations. Constructed in stainless steel for durability, strength and longevity. Designed and built by the Agrimech Engineering team. WWW.AGRIMECH.CO.UK +44 (0) 1354 638 222 ‘Report red spidermite’ growers urged NEW Zealand potato growers are being urged to get in touch with Biosecurity New Zealand if they find a new type of infestation in their crops. The tomato Red Spider Mite was discovered in June 2020. Two populations of the spider mite (Tetranychus evansi) had been found as part of routine surveillance in Auckland – near the airport and in Pakuranga. The mites were found on nightshade weeds – one of their preferred host plants. Under the Government Industry Agreement for Biosecurity Readiness and Response (GIA), Biosecurity New Zealand is working closely with the GIA horticultural and arable industry partners, to determine the potential impacts of the discovery and appropriate actions to take. The tomato red spider mite’s main hosts are plants in the Solanaceae family, including potatoes. It is commonly found on weeds including nightshades, shepherd’s purse, cleavers and fat hen. Growers who think they have found a tomato red spider mite infestation, are being asked to call the Biosecurity New Zealand pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66. PepinoMosaic Virus discovered THE presence of PepMV was recently confirmed on tomato plants in greenhouses at an Auckland commercial facility and, as a result, Biosecurity New Zealand is working with industry partners to investigate the situation, how it may have arisen, how widespread any infection is and how it is a ecting crops. The new instance is the only report of PepMV in New Zealand to date. Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) causes pepino mosaic disease in potatoes. Symptoms of infection can vary and there may be no significant yield loss but there can be damage to leaves. Bumblebees used as pollinators and white fly are known to spread the disease.

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